Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book addresses the problem of alienation between what might be called the factions of transgender and feminism by asking four key questions. It suggests that much theorising of trans subjectivity has, historically, been applied from 'without', whether at a physical, social or subjective distance from gender variant people. 'Trans woman' and 'trans man' are used to describe the transitioned gender of those previously known as 'transsexual men' and 'transsexual women'. For instance, a person previously known as a transsexual woman is now referred to as a trans man, recognising their correct gendered essence. In this book 'gender variant' is used as an umbrella term for the main subjects of this study because it is generally taken to include all those who voluntarily or involuntarily transgress heteronormative codes of sexual identity.